April showers bring May notes. …
The wiseguys in Las Vegas like the looks of the Broncos’ offseason acquisitions.
“They have almost everything,” said Jay Kornegay, director of the Las Vegas Hilton’s race & sports book. “It’s just that some other teams have a little more. And they’re all three in the AFC.”
That would be the Patriots, Chargers and Colts. Each ranked ahead of the Broncos when the Hilton became the first Vegas sports book to put out its over/unders for 2007 win totals. The Pats were No. 1 at 11, followed by the Colts and Chargers at 10.5, the Bears at 10 and the Broncos at 9.5.
Kornegay, a CSU graduate, had the Broncos at 9.5 last season, too. His take on their 2007 prospects: “They still have some question marks. They’ve got a young quarterback, they haven’t figured out who their second receiver is going to be and they haven’t got a proven pass rusher. Plus, they play in a very difficult division. Some of their free agents are going to fill the void, but that’s unproven.”
Kornegay calls the Chargers “the class of the division and possibly the best in the league,” but the Patriots have gotten virtually all the love from the public in the early wagering. New England, one of the league’s most active teams in free agency, is 5-1 to win the Super Bowl, followed by the Chargers (6-1), Colts (9-1) and Bears (10-1).
The Broncos are tied for fifth with Baltimore and Cincinnati. That makes six AFC teams out of the top seven, in case you were wondering where the power lies in today’s NFL.
According to Kornegay, the Patriots’ signing of free-agent linebacker Adalius Thomas and a handful of wideouts has sent the public into a wagering frenzy.
“It’s all Patriots right now,” he said. “Everybody is in love with the Pats. We can’t stop the Patriots bets from coming in.” …
Good guy, good cause: Broncos Ring of Famer Randy Gradishar will be among the civic leaders on the steps of the Capitol for the May 3 National Day of Prayer. Ceremonies will take place throughout Our State. Info: www.nationaldayofprayer.org. …
The last-place Rockies. Given the looks of those pitching staffs in the NL West, you’d better get used to it. …
According to the L.A. Times, Victoria’s Secret supermodel Gisele Bundchen isn’t selling her $4 million Hollywood digs to spend more time with me in Denver. Instead, she’s hanging with some overrated quarterback on the East Coast. …
Bulls coach Scott Skiles, when reporters told him he was being mentioned in the same breath as Pat Riley: “If I thought you guys knew anything, I’d be flattered.” …
Money can’t buy happiness. Or a bullpen, from the looks of the Yankees’ stats. Their pen through three weeks-plus: no saves, six blown opportunities. …
It isn’t going to happen, but, for the sake of argument, let’s say the Broncos could have pulled off that deal with Detroit for the second pick in the draft. They would have been looking at $24 million in bonuses, give or take. The largest chunk of guaranteed money they’ve ever paid is $18 million to Champ Bailey. …
Sebastian Telfair’s lawyer says his client wants to stay with the Celtics because they’re a family-oriented team and, well, he’s a family-oriented guy. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? How many soccer moms are packing heat under the driver’s seat of their minivans, that is. …
In case you missed the news release, the NFL draft is this weekend, the culmination of several months of preparation by scouts, general managers and Mel Kiper Jr.’s hairstylist. …
Just wondering: Given all the info ESPN doles out on Draft Day, how come we didn’t hear about Pacman Jones’ 40 time against that West Virginia state trooper? …
The Wichita State cheerleading squad reportedly has been stripped of its national title because a nonstudent was among its contingent. Cheerleaders cheating. And just when you thought there might be hope for today’s sports world.
Jim Armstrong can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
